PRINCETON — After he was slowly escorted across the stage of the school's Jadwin Gymnasium, the 14th Dalai Lama lifted a traditional orange and black Princeton University cap to his head with a warm smile and gentle bow to the audience before him.

During his public "Develop the Heart" talk at Princeton Tuesday morning, the spiritual Tibetan leader admitted one of his biggest regrets in life was not focusing more on his education during adolescence, categorizing himself as "quite a lazy student, not much interest in study, only interest in play."

“That precious time can never be recovered,” the Dalai Lama said, encouraging those in attendance to seek different views to receive a better-rounded education.

Thousands of students, faculty and members of the general public — including Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert — crowded inside the gym to hear the Dalai Lama speak about the importance of compassion, brotherhood and peace in an ever-changing world.

The Dalai Lama was accompanied on stage by Alison Boden, Princeton's dean of religious life, and a translator who assisted him through parts of the discussion. He touched on the importance of education, affection and global responsibility in human beings' quest to live more fulfilling lives.

Princeton sophomore Alana Jaskir jotted notes during his talk to refresh her memory, she said.

“I really appreciated a lot of his comments, really digging into different perspectives on the same issues which I think was really helpful as a student exploring different areas and also as a person who isn’t really sure what my religious beliefs are,” Jaskir said.

Often too much emphasis is placed on differences, the Dalai Lama said, so “we must think more seriously about oneness of humanity.” And though money “is necessary to live a comfortable life,” it is not a source of happiness. It creates more jealousy and anxiety, he said.

The Dalai Lama also held an invitation-only gathering for select students and faculty Tuesday afternoon for a conversation around Princeton’s informal motto, "In the Nation's Service and in the Service of All Nations."

A majority of the topics discussed during the public talk centered on abstract ideas such as religious freedom and human rights, but the Dalai Lama’s visit wasn’t without a few jokes and laughs. When asked what the key to happiness is, he responded, “Money. Or sex.”

Further elaborating, "inner strength and self-confidence" can work in conjunction to spread joyfulness, as can treating others with dignity, he said.

“I think that his personality and his presence said at least as much as his words did. But I think it was a tremendous experience,” Princeton sophomore Robert Bedell said following the talk. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”

Throughout the public talk, hundreds of protesters could be heard from inside the gym chanting outside and claiming the Dalai Lama publicly banned a 400-year-old tradition of praying to the Buddhist deity Dorje Shugden and thus violates human rights. Others were set up on the Princeton campus with signs and posters supporting the Dalai Lama.

When he was questioned whether human rights exist for all during the talk, the Dalai Lama’s response was simple: “Our life very much depends on hope. There is no guarantee what will happen next year or next week, but on the basis of hope, we are making an effort.”

Gesturing toward the student audience, the Dalai Lama said this generation of young adults could make the world a happier place through peaceful action.

"You should be active in order to achieve a happy world" and rely less on "wishful thinking," he said.

Princeton sophomore Rachel Dubin said much of what the Dalai Lama touched on could be applied broadly to different aspects of life.

“You can take the general and apply it specifically to your own life,” she said. “That’s something I’m going to think about later.”